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dano73's avatar
dano73
Explorer
Aug 07, 2014

Too Much Truck???

OK, I recently downsized, had a 40 ft 5er with about 2200 on the pin, to a 30ft travel trailer with a tongue weight of about 6-700 lbs Im guessing and grosses at 9K. My tow vehicle is a 2003 gmc diesel dually. I towed this trailer home with a borrowed F 150, and it rode beautifully, a little more power would have been nice, wt distributors hooked up, nice ride. Now I've towed many trailers with my dually, and now this new one. I use the weight distr hitch, not that the truck cant handle it, but the weight on the bumper bangs away, making the ride unbearable, and with the wd hitch its better but still a headache. I still have a 5er I need to move rarely so Im stuck with the truck. I was thinking of either removing the helper springs or airing up the bags so the truck doesn't sit on the helpers, which would make the trailer nose high, which I really don't want either. Any ideas how to get a better ride out of this rig?
  • 177,000 miles with max weight on the pin has worn out your springs and shocks. I would take it to a truck suspension shop and have it refurbed. New springs, shocks and bushings will have you smoothed out again.
  • dano.... Airstreams do not do fair well in combination with a stiff sprung TV.

    We tow an Airstream which is 6' shorter than yours with a mid size V6 sedan*. More power than we need and tows great.

    IMHO.... Too Much Truck.

    *pro set up
  • I put new shocks on my 95 silverado with 192K miles and it made a huge difference. I'd start with shocks too.
  • I think you need to look at your shocks, if the truck normally tows a 5th wheel, a little airstream with 700lib tongue weight should make the ride more stiff not bouncy and bangy.
  • Its not noise its ride quality. The truck has 177k on it and the 5er was on the helpers since new, even without the extra 500lbs of junk in the bed, that's why I put air bags in it originally, they helped the ride. So right now with the bed loaded with stuff and trailer on it it is sitting on the back of the helper, about a half inch off the front.
  • Yeah, it's hard to believe that you're down on the overloads. I was towing with 2400 lbs. and never hit the overloads. Are you sure that's what the noise is?
  • Careful basing it on the good days...most all things designed are NOT for the
    good days out there, but for the worst day when Mr Murphy crosses you path

    Manhandling it during an emergency situation vs cruising with no traffic

    That is the main reason for ratings. Other is warranty...even after warranty has
    run out...there is a liability component for all things designed, certified
    to meet published ratings (specifications)
  • I'm surprised your hitting the helper springs...My 5th wheel has a 3000lb pin weight and it only hits the helpers when going over bumps.

    My first thought was to add a 1000lbs in the bed to smooth out the ride.
  • Sorry gijoe I just looked it up. 7oolbs its an airstream. The hitch is ats its lowest setting, they're designed to tow low, and the truck is high to begin with. Its 8700 lbs gvw to be more exact.
  • For starters, a 9k trailer will have a tongue weight in the 1000-1300lb range. Air up the bags if you think it will help, just readjust the hitch to compensate for it with a lower drop to level the trailer back out.

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